Cholangitis, Lymphocytic

Also known as lymphocyticplasmacytic cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis, lymphocytic portal hepatitis and nonsuppurative cholangitis or cholangiohepatitis.

Signalment

Young to middle-aged cats.

Description

Lymphocytic cholangitis is a slowly progressive chronic disease characterised by infiltration of the portal areas of the liver with small lymphocytes. Although an immune-mediated aetiology has been postulated, the disease has failed to respond to immunosuppressive medications.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

History of chronic waxing and waning low-grade illness. Common findings are anorexia, depression, weight loss, intermittent vomiting and diarrhoea, jaundice. Pyrexia less likely compared to Neutrophilic Cholangitis